BRITISH Airways passengers were left panic-stricken after cabin crew donned smoke hoods amid fears toxic fumes had leaked into the cabin at 20,000ft.

Airline staff were forced to wear breathing apparatus for 20 minutes on a terrifying flight from Heathrow to France, which sparked emergency checks.

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All cabin crew were forced to don protective smoke hoods on a terrifying flight to France, which sparked emergency checks

Stunned families were left without any protection and fearing for their safety after a toxic stench circulated the cabin.

Passengers watched the crew staggering around while the overhead oxygen masks weren't released as they are only deployed when a plane suddenly loses cabin pressure.

The drama unfolded on Flight BA354 from Heathrow to Nice on August 26.

It was the fourth "fume event" to hit BA flights in a single day - as airline bosses are worried about damaging payouts.

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The smoke hood drama unfolded on Flight BA354 from Heathrow to Nice on August 26Credit: Alamy

A cabin crew member told The Sun: "Wearing one of those smoke hoods is probably the most terrifying thing crew have to do every year at recruit training.

“It threw me into utter panic after about 30 seconds with it on, but the fear factor soars up in the clouds in a real life scenario when no one knows what’s going on.

“The hoods heat up as the chemical reaction to create oxygen kicks in."

One source added: “Panic set in because of course passengers were worrying about their own safety.

"But there was nothing for them."

A series of emergency checks were carried out and the flight landed safely - before the crew on the flight were signed off as unfit to work.

There were three other fume events declared on BA flights on the same day.

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Meanwhile, two cabin crew on board another BA plane were taken to hospital amid fears they had been exposed to dangerous fumesCredit: Corbis - Getty

Meanwhile, two cabin crew on board another BA plane were taken to hospital amid fears they had been exposed to dangerous fumes.

Dramatic scenes broke out when the stewardesses fell ill, complaining of nausea from the contaminated air

They were taken to Redhill Hospital near Gatwick airport, Sussex after the BA flight touched down from Genoa.

The BA crew were checked for carbon monoxide poisoning before being released.

BA bosses paid for their transport to and from hospital.

The Airbus A320 was taken out of service following the flight on August 31 while further checks were carried out.

Airline bosses are terrified at the prospect of legal claims costing billions of pounds following the suggestion that passengers and crew have fallen ill and even died as a result of "fume events" on jets.

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BA co-pilot Richard Westgate believed he was being poisoned by contaminated cockpit air before he died in December 2012 at the age of 43Credit: Solent News

Research is ongoing as scientists examine the effects on passengers and crew breathing in stale recycled cabin air and leaked jet engine fumes.

Toxic fumes on board planes were believed to be behind the death of BA pilot Richard Westgate, according to him and his family.

The pilot from Edinburgh, who died in December 2012 aged 43, suffered years of ill health including severe headaches, mental confusion, sight problems and insomnia which he claimed were caused by exposure to toxic chemicals on board planes he flew for the airline.

The inquest into his death stated overdose as the cause but acknowledged that the fumes in the plane caused “consequential damage” to frequent flyers.

The families of pilots Matt Bass, 34, and Karen Lysakowska, 43, and BA steward Warren Brady, 46, believe they all died as a result of being exposed to toxic fumes while working for the airline.

Research by Stirling University published last year in the World Health Organisation journal Public Health Panorama found 88 per cent of pilots knew they were exposed to contaminated air and 80 per cent of incidents involving toxic fumes took place when the aircraft was preparing for or in flight.

On their website the Civil Aviation Authority acknowledges the issue of "aero toxicity".

It states: “There is strong evidence that some people experience acute symptoms as a consequence of fume events.

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The co-pilot’s family pictured leaving Wiltshire and Swindon Coroners Court in April 2017Credit: PA:Press Association

"Some of the chemical contaminants that are present during such events are irritant, and may cause itching or soreness of the eyes, nasal discharge, sore throat or coughing."

Airline bosses said the BA pilot on the flight to Nice told passengers that crew were wearing hoods as a “precaution”.

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"Our flight landed normally and customers left the aircraft as usual.

“As is always the case, our engineers made a full inspection of the aircraft before it was returned to service. We would not operate an aircraft if we believed it posed a health or safety risk to our customers or crew.

“We always encourage our colleagues to report any potential safety incidents, no matter how minor, to allow us to investigate them. All reports are shared.”

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